[Aspects of distribution of plasma cells at the advancing front of the lesion in chronic periodontitis: a quantitative ultrastructural study].

The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of plasma cells within the soft tissue walls of interdental deep pockets from patients with adult (AP) and juvenile/post-juvenile (JP/PJP) periodontitis. Biopsies from 20 patients and 3 control volunteers were examined: 5 with treated AP, 5 with untreated AP, 5 with treated JP/PJP and 5 with untreated JP/PJP. No plasma cells were seen within the epithelium from any of the biopsies examined, and they were very sparse within the connective tissue from the control specimens. In all the pathological specimens examined there was marked tissue destruction. The percentage density of plasma cells tended to be statistically significantly higher in JP/PJP than in AP, and in untreated than in treated lesions. The statistical analysis showed also that plasma cells were more abundant in a layer deep to the neutrophils lining the basement membrane. Plasma cells were also more abundant in areas of extensive histological inflammation. The plasma cells were often degenerate and such degeneration appeared more evident in JP/PJP and in areas of connective tissue devoid of vascular tissue. These findings appear to indicate an association between increase of collagen destruction and increase in plasma cell percentage density. This may relate in turn to an increase in penetration and/or virulence of components of the subgingival plaque following an increase in tissue permeability. The scarcity of Russell bodies within the plasma cells would suggest that immunoglobulin production and secretion are normal.